Letters at Issue: Election: 10/18/2011

Election 2011

October 18, 2011

Anonymous ---- The Record Eagle Tue Oct 18, 2011, 07:14 AM EDT

Honest, dependable

Traverse City is very fortunate to have a candidate like Ralph Soffredine running for mayor. I've known Ralph almost 50 years. What you see in Ralph is what you get. He's honest, sincere and dependable, a person who'll vote with his heart and what he believes will be best for the city.

Ralph will not run away from anything that comes his way. He's proven this many times as former police chief, city commissioner, school board member and many other boards he's served on.

Please vote for Ralph for mayor. He'll be there for us when we need him.

Al Bishop

Traverse City

Get on the bus

The citizens of our area love to complain about fuel prices, parking and traffic. How do we respond? We increase our dependence on foreign oil, build more parking decks at our expense and spend thousands on traffic studies and more roads. We should be so proud of our forward thinking (not).

Support public transit for $17 per year on a home worth $100,000 (with a taxable value of $50,000). Vote "yes" for the Bay Area Transportation Authority funding renewal Nov. 8 and be a part of the real solution. Get on the bus.

Derek McCombs

Interlochen

Service a top priority

Four years ago Mike Estes ran for the office of mayor with a motto of "We Listen." In his first term he was instrumental in right-sizing city staffing levels while maintaining service levels and finding ways to fund improvements to the city neighborhoods. Service to his community has always been a priority for Mike.

Traverse City's reputation as a "Top Ten City" does not happen by accident. It happens because city leaders find ways to tap into the citizenry's desires and to develop consensus for improvements in the city. Help Mike continue to lead with another term as mayor.

Gary Carlson

Grawn

Tolerant of neighbors

I write to encourage fellow city residents to vote "yes" on the referendum in support of basic civil rights. The proposal does not, as suggested, offer special benefits to anyone; it simply preserves the status quo and reiterates that no one will be denied civil rights because of race, gender or sexual orientation.

This world is already too contentious and polarized; we seem unable to agree on even fundamental issues. We should make a firm statement supporting basic human and civic values and demonstrate that while we may disagree, we are tolerant of our neighbors and of their diversity.

George Thompson

Traverse City

A wealth of history

A vote for Ralph Soffredine is a vote for common sense. I've served on several boards with Ralph, and he's always been a valued voice for Traverse City.

He does his homework on issues and brings a wealth of history to the table when making decisions. I have never known him to shy away from speaking his mind on an issue. He has served this community for more than 30 years. His efforts have helped to shape our region into what it is today, and his vision of the future will be an asset as this area continues to grow.

Molly Agostinelli

Traverse City

Ethics and commitment

If you want an educated, knowledgeable and concerned individual as city commissioner, I suggest you vote for Pat McGuire. I have been privileged to know and work with Pat for more than 25 years. Pat has the highest ethics, is dedicated to doing a great job in everything he endeavors, is dedicated to the Traverse City community (Pat volunteered and served as a member of the Citizens Operational and Advisory Committee for two years) and is knowledgeable in both the business world and municipal government.

For knowledge, ethics and commitment, vote for Pat McGuire for city commissioner.

Linda Marshall

Traverse City

For a bright future

I gladly offer this letter of support for Michael Estes as mayor of Traverse City. Estes previously proved himself a worthy mayor through his dedication to improving the quality of life for the residents of Traverse City without increasing their tax burden. He recognizes the need for infrastructure improvements and smart growth as part of an overall vision that will continue the prosperity of our city and region.

We have been fortunate to benefit from a series of leaders (including Mr. Estes) who have helped this small city reach its enormous potential. Vote Estes and we have a bright future.

David McGinnis

Traverse City

Save the ordinance

The majority of Traverse City residents support equal rights for gay Americans. If you support equality, don't kid yourself by assuming that somebody else of like mind will vote in your place to keep our anti-discrimination ordinance in effect.

The opposition is working hard against equal human rights. But we can defeat fear, ignorance, misinformation and prejudice by voting love, acceptance, peace and harmony in diversity.

If you really care about local equality, save our city's anti-discrimination ordinance by voting "yes" on Nov. 8.

The Rev. Harry C. Dorman

Traverse City

Vote will be a factor

I pray that our community doesn't fall victim to fear mongering this November. The anti-discrimination ordinance isn't about providing special rights; it's about sharing the "special" rights that all non-gay people take for granted every day.

As a young person new to the region, my decision about remaining in this area will certainly factor in whether or not this city chooses to make second-class citizens out of my many gay friends. Furthermore, I am seriously hesitant to start a family in a place where my child might similarly grow up to be a second-class citizen.

Matthew Bertrand

Traverse City

Works for residents

At the city commission candidates' Oct. 11 forum it was noted that the Light & Power board approved rate reductions for residential customers. A review of the L&P minutes of June 28 notes that board member Michael Estes moved to cap residential electric rates for the next year. The motion carried, with only Ralph Soffredine voting no. At the same meeting, Soffredine voted to give the Economic Development Corp. $25,000.

At L&P Estes continues to work for the residents of the city just as he did as mayor. I'm supporting and voting for Michael Estes for mayor.

Richard Powell

Traverse City